Fire control unit



April 12, 1966 M. A. ROMERO FIRE CONTROL UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 23, 1963 mw mmw 5w mm 8% N mm 09 INVENTOR.

MAX A. ROMERO A TTORN E YS April 12, 1966 M. A. ROMERO FIRE CONTROL UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1965 INVENTOR. MAX A. ROMERO ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,245,474 FIRE CONTROL UNIT Max A. Romero, 5409 S. Huron Way, Littleton, (3010. Filed Oct. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 318,418 11 Claims. (Cl. 169-26) This invention relates generally to a fire control unit and more particularly to an inexpensive pressurizable fire control unit which although adapted for concealed mounting within a ceiling of like structure can discharge fire retardant material in a concentrated pattern either directly beneath the unit or laterally displaced therefrom and which also provides an inexpensive but highly reliable novel means for indicating the existence of insufficient pressure within the unit for proper operation thereof.

The esthetic value of concealing from view fire control units which are used to protect valuable and other items is well recognized. However, one of the difliculties associated with the concealment of fire control units in that of easily and accurately determining whether the unit contains sufiicient pressure for effective operation thereof. Another difiiculty arises in connection with the necessity ofcoutinuously protecting a piece of equipment which during the operation thereof, but not otherwise, generates suflicie'nt heat to actuate a fire control unit that might be positioned directly above the equipment, e.g., although the setting of the units thermally actuated means may be increased to become actuated at a sufficiently temperature to prevent actuation thereof during the time the piece of equipment is generating heat such a setting would then be too high to provide adequate protection when the piece of equipment is not generating any heat. Another problem encountered is to provide from a single point and installation fire protection for an item even though the item is subject to being moved about from time to time within a prescribed area.

This invention has for one of its principal objects to provide a fire control unit which may be used to provide continuous protection to a piece of equipment whether or not same generates any heat during the normal operation thereof. Another object of this invention is to provide a fire control unit which contains a reliable, inexpensive device for indicating .accurately the existence of insuflicicnt pressure within the unit for proper operation thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fire control unit having novel means for controlling the discharge pattern of the discharge fire retardant material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fire control unit which may be concealably mounted within a ceiling or wall type strucutre.-

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view, in partial cross-section, of one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken along line 22 in FIG- URE 1;

FIGUREv 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view, in partial cross-section, of one preferred embodiment of the fire control units pressure indicating means;

FIGURES is an end view of the pressure indicating means shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the hollow member 62 of the discharge nozzle 16.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in FIG- UR'E 1 is shown a fire control unit adapted for con.-

cealed mounting within a ceiling or wall structure with the discharge portion thereof being mounted in. a substantially flushed relationship with the lower surface 10a of finish member 10 of such a structure. The fire control unit comprises generally a pressurizable container 12, a spring-actuated plunger 14, la dischargenozzle 16, an annular mounting device 18, a pressure indicating device 20 and a closure plate 22.

The container 12 comprises two separate compartments 24 and 26 which are threadably connected together as shown and which are also interconnected through tubular conduit 28. Compartment 26 contains a powdered fire retardant material 30 such as potassium bicarbonate; however, a liquid fire retardant material may be used if desired. The pressurizing medium may comprise any compressed gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide .providing that same does not react with or adversely affect the fire retardant material. It has been found that a pressure between 60 and p.s.i. is quite adequate; however, depending upon the materials selected, different pressures may be used if desired. An annular seal 32 is circumferentially positioned to enclose about end 28a of conduit 28 to prevent loss of pressurizing medium from within the container and to eifect sealing contact between the mating surfaces of conduit 28 and compartments 24 and 26. within the fire retardant material 30 to insure that said material 30 will be effectively expelled from compartment 26 before the expelling force of the pressurizing medium has been exhausted, and preferably with a part thereof in contacting engagement with the lower surface of compartment 26.

A check valve 33, see FIGURE 5, through which a pressurizing medium is admitted into container 12 is installed in the wall of compartment 24. Compartment 24 is also constructed to contain a replaceable frangible member 34. Said member 34 is formed from a stiff but relatively resilient material such as any of several polymers including Teflon, a Du Pont trade name for a tetrafluorethylene resin, since member 34 must not only resist .the tensive stresses exerted thereupon by the gas contained within container 12 but also effect a seal between coinpartment 24 and an adjacent annular, support-seal meniber 36. Said member 36 is preferably in the form of a washer and has an opening 36a formed therein the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the opening of an adjacent annular plug; 38 or the diameter of a first portion 40 of an opening formed in the Wall of compartment 24. The washer 36 is likewise made from a stiff but relatively resilient material. The purpose for thedecreased size of opening is to provide additional support for the frangible member 34 as well as to serve as a stop for plunger 14. The washer 36 must be sufficiently stiff to provide the necessary support for frangible member 34 and to prevent the plunger 14 from becoming em- 'bedded therein and yet must also be suificiently resilient to effect a seal between the frangible member 34 and annular plug 38. It is preferable that the washer 36 also have sufiicient resiliency so that the plunger 14 does not 'become scored upon coming into contact therewith. Thus, the washer 36 may be formed from any of a wide variety of materials including metals. Also, the frangible member 34 and the washer 36 may be integrally joined together if desired.

The incorporation of the frangible member 34 into compartment 24 is effected by forming an opening through the wall of compartment 24. A first portion 40 of said opening is formed with a smaller cross-sectional area than the second or remaining portion 42. Both portions are joined together by a radially extending surface 44. The first portion 40 having the smaller crosssection area communicates with the interior of the com- The other end 28b of conduit 28 is positioned partment 24; the'second portion 42 having the larger cross-sectional area is internally threaded and communicates with the exterior of compartment 24. Frangible member 34 and washer 36 are installed in the recess formed by the second or remaining portion 42 with frangible member 34 being in abutting relation against the radially extending surface 44. A removable, externallythreaded annular plug 38 is threadably mounted into the recess formed by the second portion 42. The annular plug 38 preferably has a radially extending surface 38a formed on the external portion thereof which seats against the outer surface of compartment 24 to prevent application of any unnecessary compressive force against frangible member 34 and washer 36.

The pressure indicating means 20 may be more readily understood by referring to FIGURES 4 and as well as FIGURE 1. The pressure indicating means 20 which is used to indicate the existence of insufiicient pressure within the container 12 for proper operation thereof comprises generally an annular housing 45, a piston 46 connected to a piston rod or shaft 48, a helical spring 50 and an elongated member 52 having an opening 52a formed therein near one end thereof and a boss position 52b formed thereon. The housing is threadably connected at one end thereof and penetrates into the pressurized containers compartment 12. For ease of assembly and installation of the fire control unit within the ceiling or wall structure the housing 45 is preferably connected or mounted in compartment 24 as shown; however, it may be installed in compartment 26 if desired. The housing 45 has an annular opening formed therein a first portion 54 of which has a smaller diameter than the second or remaining portion 56, both portions of which are joined together by a radially extending surface 58. The second portion 56 having the larger diameter is positioned in the end of the housing 45 that is threaded into compartment 24. An annular seal 59 is positioned within a groove 46a formed in the circumferential surface of piston 46 to effect sealing contact between the inner surface of compartment 24 and the circumferential surface of piston 46. Another annular seal 63 is positioned between the opposed surfaces of housing 45 and compartment 24. The helical spring 58 is mounted upon the piston rod 48 and the assembled unit is inserted into the second portion 56 of the housings opening having the larger diameter until one end of the spring 50 abuts against the radially extending surface 58 and the other end thereof abuts against one of the surfaces of the piston 46. The piston rod 48 is of suflicient length to extend beyond the end of the housing 45 and, when the fire control unit contains sufiicient pressure for efiiective operation, through the opening 52a formed within the elongated member 52 which is mounted within an opening 60a formed within an L-shaped guide member 60 that is securely attached tothe fire control unit by any suitable means such as screws 61 and within one of a plurality of elongated openings 62a formed Within a flange portion 62b of generally hollow member 62 which comprises a portion of the discharge nozzle 16. Preferably, the elongated member 52 extends slightly below the lower surface of the flange portion 62b of hollow member 62 to insure that it does not become caught or bound within said opening 62a. The lower portion of said elongated member 52 is painted bright red or any other suitable color which contrasts with the color of the lower surface a of finish member 10. Thus, when the pressure within the container 12 drops below a predetermined amount, elongated member 52 will no longer be supported in position by the free end of the piston rod 48 and will drop down until the boss portion 52b abuts against the L-shaped guide member 69. In this position the brightly colored lower portion of elongated member 52 protrudes downward from the ceiling and flags the defectiveness of the fire control unit.

The mounting device 18 is substantially similar in construction to that device described in Norlings United States Letters Patent No. 2,974,878. Essentially, it cornprises an annular mounting bracket 64 having a sleeve portion 64a and an outwardly extending flange portion 64b. Attached to the bracket 64 in a spaced relationship are a plurality of prongs or fingers 66. Each of said prongs or fingers 66 extend through a corresponding slot (not shown) formed within said bracket 64 for projection in both directions beyond the opposed sides of the sleeve portion 64 to form the main supporting elements for the mounting device 18. Following the formation of a circular opening 68 in the finish member 10 of a ceiling or wall structure, the annular bracket 64 is inserted therein until the upper surface of the flange portion 64b abuts against the lower surface 10a of member 10. Next, the upper portion 66a of the fingers 66 are bent radially outward until they are brought into firm engagement with the upper surface 10b of member 10. Following insertion of the fire control unit, the lower portion 66b of the fingers 66 are bent radially inward to provide support for the fire control unit. Although an opening may be formed with the lower portion 66b of any of said prongs or finger 66, such are neither required nor preferred. In the event the lower portion 66b of any of such prongs or fingers 66 obstruct the passage of elongated member 52 through any one of the elongated slots 62a formed within the flange portion 62b of hollow member 62, rotation of annular bracket 64 will eliminate this problem.

The discharge nozzle 16 may be more readily understood by referring to FIGURES 2, 3 and 6 as well as FIGURE 1. The discharge nozzle 16 comprises generally a hollow member 62 and an elongated member 70. The hollow member 62 is attached to compartment 24 by suitable means such as screws 61 to receive the fire retardant material 30 as it is expelled from within said compartment 24. The hollow member 62 has an opening 62C, 62d at each end thereof and comprises an annular cylindrically-shaped portion 62e joined to a hollow portion 62 which has an inner surface that has a substantially uniformly increasing cross-sectional area beginning with the point of juncture 62g with the cylindrically-shaped portion 62e and proceeding downwardly toward the end thereof, and near said end flaring out to form an outwardly extending flange portion 62b. As previously described, the flange portion 62b has a plurality of elongated, arcuately-shaped slots 62a formed therein. The flange portion 6212 also has a plurality of openings or slots 62h, see FIGURE 6, formed therein positioned inwardly of the arcuately shaped slots 62a, the purpose of which will be described later. The hollow member 62 has a first portion 72 of inner surface lying substantially within a first plane the extension of which forms an included angle of 10 degrees or less with a second plane. Said second plane is positioned substantially perpendicular to a third plane in which lies the periphery of the larger opening 62d. Said hollow member 62 also has a second portion 74 of inner surface angularly disposed approximately degrees from the first portion 72 of said inner surface and lying in a fourth plane the extension of which forms an included angle between 35 and 55 degrees with said second plane and an included angle equal to or greater than 35 degrees with said first plane. Tests have shown that good results are obtainable when the hollow member 62 is manufactured within the above dimensional limitations and that it is preferable to limit further the angular dimensions by maintaining the included angle formed between the first plane and second plane to 5 degrees or less; by limiting the included angle formed between the fourth plane and second plane to 40 to 50 degrees; and by keeping the included angle formed between the fourth plane and the first plane equal to or greater than 40 degrees. Excellent results have been obtained where the first and second plane have been made parallel to each other and the included angle between the fourth and second planes was 45 degrees. It has been found that the configuration of hollow member 62 is not only beneficial in effecting, in combination with elongated member 70, excellent discharge pattern control but also increases the sensitivity of the fire control unit since it tends to collect and concentrate the heat toward the low melting point material used in actuating the plunger 14, all of which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Although it is preferred to displace angularly the second portion 74 of the inner surface 180 degrees from said first portion 72, beneficial results are obtained when the angular displacement varies as much as 180i30 however, it is preferred that such displacement be held to l80il0 and this is what is intended when the phrase approximately 180 is used in this patent.

The elongated member 70 is mounted within hollow member 62 and spaced apart from the inner surface thereof. Elongated member 70 is preferably arcuately shaped as shown in FIGURE 3 and has a radius of curvature approximately equal to that of the cylindricallyshaped portion 62e of the hollow member 62. Elongated member 70 is mounted substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of opening formed in annular plug 38. Said member 70 is mounted on annular plug 38 by any suitable means such as welding and adapted to be adjusted for any setting through a complete revolution of plug 38. For most operating conditions the member 70 will be set in one of four positions, each setting being approximately 90 degrees angularly displaced from the previous setting. In order to effect good sealing contact between annular plug 38 and compartment 24 for any positioning of elongated member 70, a second washer (not shown) of reduced thickness but otherwise similar to washer 36may be inserted between annular Washer 36 and the adjacent end of annular plug 38. Alternatively, a single washer 36 having the appropriate thickness for the particular setting or positioning of elongated member 70 may be used in lieu of a combination of washers.

The frangible member 34 is ruptured by means comprising generally a plunger 14, a helical spring 76, a member 78 for supporting said plunger 14 and a U-shaped spring clip 80 held in compression by a low melting point material '82 such as Woods alloy which has a composition comprising 5 parts of bismuth, 2.5 parts of lead, 1.25 parts of tin and 1.25 parts of cadmium. The melting point of this alloy is approximately 65.5 C. The plunger 14 comprises a conically-shaped portion 14a terminating in a sharp point, a boss portion 14b formed near said conically-shaped portion 14a and an elongated shaft portion 14c having two grooves 14d formed near the end of the shaft portion 14c farthest removed from the conically-shaped portion 1411, said grooves 14d being formed on opposite sides of said shaft portion and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shaft portion. Support member 78 has an opening 78a formed therein .and has an annular piece 84 mounted on the upper surface 78b thereof. Said annular piece'84 is mounted with the longitudinal axis thereof in aligned relationship with the "longitudinal axis of the opening7'8a formed within support member 78 and has an external surface a portion "84a of which has a smaller diameterthan the remaining portion 84b, both said portions being joined together by a radially extending surface 84c. The helical spring 76 is mounted upon the shaft portion 14c of plunger 14 and the assembled unit is mounted with the end of the shaft portion 14c extending through the aligned passages formed within support member 78 and annular piece 84 and the helical spring 76 being interposed between the radially extending surface 840 of annular piece 84 and one of the surfaces of the boss portion 14b of plunger 14. The plunger 14 is then protruding end of shaft portion 14c, the legs of the U-shaped spring clip 80 are positioned within acorre- 6 sponding groove 14d formed on said shaft portion 14c, the free ends of said legs are moved toward each other and held in position by a low melt-ing point solder 82 which, after being melted, is allowed to solidify before the force which is required to compress said legs of the U-shaped spring clip is removed. Support member 78 is positioned within an opening 70a formed near the end of elongated member 70 positioned farthest from annular plug 38 and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of elongated member- 70 and firmly held in place by means of a pair of set screws 88 which are threaded into respective threaded recesses 70b formed in the end of elongated member 70 and communicating with opening 70a of said member 70. As assembled, the means for rupturing the frangible member 34 is complete and ready for use.

a The means for effecting a closure across the opening 62d of hollow member 62 when-the ambient temperature is less than a predetermined amount and for removing same when the ambient temperature is equal to or more than said predetermined amount comprises generally a closure plate 22 having an opening 22a therein, a helical spring 90, a low melting point material 92 and a was-her 94. The helical spring is mounted upon the free end of the shaft portion 14c of plunger '14 and interposed between the upper surface of closure plate 22 and the spring clip 80. The longitudinal axis of said opening 22a is formed for mounting thereof in an aligned relationship with the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion of plunger 14. When the closure plate 22 is to be attached directly to hollow member 62, the use ofa closure plate 22 having such an opening 22a formed therein permits rotational adjustment of elongated member 70 with a cor'responding vertical adjustment of the free end of shaft portion 140 without creating any assembly problems in attaching the closure plate to thefire control unit.

When the helical spring 90 is mounted upon the free end of shaft portion 140 and interposed between closure plate 22 and spring clip 80, the closure plate 22 and washer 94 are then mounted upon shaft portion 140 and the shaft portion 140 and washer 94 are bonded together with a low melting point solder; 92, the melting .point of which is equal to and preferably slightly less than, the melting point of the material 82 used on spring clip 80 and the plate 22 is left for free. rotation about shaft portion 140. If the plate 22 is to be attached directly to hollow member 62, washer 94 need not be used and the solder 92 may be applied to the closure plate 22 through the openings in slots 62h formed in the flange portion 62b of hollow member 62 or about the periphery of the closure plate 22. *In the latter case it is desirable that the low melting point solder 92 not be used continuously about the said periphery in order to permit the free circulation of air currents into said hollow member 62.

The fire control unit is assembled and installed as follows. The plunger '14, helical spring 76, spring clip 80, support member 78, annular piece 84 and spacer 86 are assembled into a unit as has been previously described. The unit as assembled is then mounted in elongated member 70 which has already been attached to annular plug 38 and which, if desired could be integrally formed as a part of annular plug 38.

Following this, frangible member34 and washer 36 are inserted within the recess formed by the second opening portion 42 and then annular plug 38 is threaded into said recess. The helical spring 50 of the pressure indicating means 20, annular seals 59 and 63 and piston 46 are assembled as has been previously described and the .unit is threaded into compartment 24 of pressure container 12. A charge of fire retardant material 30 is placed within compartment 26 of container 12. Tubular conduit 28and annular seal 32 are assembled and then one end 28b of conduit 28 is inserted into compartment 26 until said end 28b is in contact with said fire retardant material 30 and preferablyextends into said material.

Check valve 38 is installed in compartment 24. Compartment 24 in its assembled condition is then threaded into compartment 26.

The internal structural detail of the ceiling or wall structure is examined to determine the direction in which the container portion of the fire control unit will have to be oriented in order that the elongated member 70, hollow member 62 and guide member 60, when the unit is completely installed within the ceiling or wall structure, may be properly attached to said container portion to effect the desired orientation of the elongated member 70' and hollow member 62 with respect to the item or piece of equipment to be protected.

When it has been determined how elongated member 70, hollow member 62 and guide member 60 are to be oriented with respect to the container portion of the fire control unit, said parts are then attached to each other in accordance with such determination and elongated member 52 is positioned within opening 60a of guide member 60. Compressed gas is then admitted into compartment 24 through check valve 33. As the gas pressure within the container 12 increases, the protruding or free end of piston rod 48 of the pressure indicating means 20 moves outwardly and away from the housing 45. Be for the free end of said piston rod 48 becomes fully extended, the vertical height of elongated member 52 is adjusted so that the longitudinal axis of the opening 52a formed near one end thereof is in an aligned relationship with the longitudinal axis of said piston rod 48 and held in this position until the free end of the piston rod 48 passes through said opening 52a and extends beyond on the other side of elongated member 52. As a safety precaution to insure that the fire retardant material 30 is in close proximity to the end 28b of conduit 28b of conduit 28, the unit as assembled is positioned with the longitudinal axis of compartment 26 in a vertical plane and said end 281; pointing generally downwardly and compartment 26 is tapped several times to help settle the fire retardant material 30 down about the end 28b of conduit 28.

The fire control unit as now assembled is inserted through the opening formed within annular mounting bracket 64 and placed in the proper orientation. The lower portion 66b of prongs or fingers 66 are bent radially inward and thereby support said fire control unit within said ceiling or wall structure. Helical spring 90 is mounted upon the lower extremity of the shaft portion 140 of plunger 14 with one end thereof in abutting relationship with spring clip 80. Closure plate 22 is positioned across the opening 62d formed at the lower end of hollow member 62 with the longitudinal axis of opening 22a formed within said plate 22 being in an aligned relationship with the longitudinal axis of said shaft portion 140. A low melting point solder 92 is used either to solder washer 94 to shaft portion 14c or to solder closure plate 22 directly to the flange portion 62b of hollow member 62. The fire control unit is now completely assembled and installed and ready for use.

The fire control unit is actuated when there is sufficient ambient heat to melt the low melting point materials 82 and 92. When low melting point material 92 has melted closure plate 22 is no longer attached to the fire control unit and through a combination of gravity and the force of compressed helical spring 90 the plate 22 is forced down out of the way and thus no longer pre sents any interference with the discharge of the fire retardant material 30 from hollow member 62. When low melting point material 82 has melted, the melting of which will occur simultaneously with and preferably slightly following the melting of low melting point material 92, the legs of the U-shaped spring clip 80 move out of the grooves 14d formed on the lower portion of the elongated shaft portion 140 of plunger 14 and the force of the compressed helical spring 76 causes the plunger 14 to move rapidly upward. The plunger 14 ruptures the frangible member 34 and has its movement arrested by washer 36. The plunger 14 then drops back as a result of a combination of gravity and the force of the compressed gas within the contained 12.1 The compressed gas within compartment 26 then drives the fire retardant material 30 through the conduit 28 and out through the portion of compartment 24 formerly sealed off by frangible member 34. The fire retardant material 30 is discharged in a predetermined pattern depending upon the relative setting of concave surface 79a of elongated member 70 with respect to the inner surface of hollow member 62. A concentrated discharge of fire retardant material approximately five feet in diameter is obtained about eight feet directly beneath the discharge nozzle of the unit when the concave surface 70a of elongated member 70 is positioned facing the first portion 72 of the inner surface of hollow member 62. Another concentrated discharge of fire retardant material also approximately 5 feet in diameter is obtained about eight feet below the discharge nozzle of the unit but offset to one side thereof in a direction facing away from the concave surface 70a of elongated member 70 when the concave surface 70a of elongated member 70.is rotated clockwise 180 degrees from that position shown in FIGURE 3. The discharge material forms a generally conically shaped cloud of finely dispersed material and thereby effectively cuts off the supply of oxygen. The use of a powdered fire retardant material in a unit constructed in accordance with this invention is particularly effective in extingushingifiarnes from burning liquids where one hazard that must be protected against is the danger of blowing the ignited liquid out of its containerand thereby spreading the fire. In a ventilated test room 8' wide, 8 high and 12 long having a -6' by 5' door opening in one of the 8' walls and a 4 /2 by 2' window opening in the other 8 wall and in which is positioned two containers of gasoline, each being about one foot in depth and having about four square feet of surface area, the nearest edge of one container being laterally disposed about 3 feet from the units discharge nozzle and the nearest edge of the other container being laterally disposed about 7 feet from the units discharge nozzle, the surface of each container being vertically disposed about 7 feet beneath the units discharge nozzle, a unit constructed in accordance with the instant invention actuated within 14 seconds after both containers of gasoline had been ignited and extinguished the flames within three seconds after actuation without causing the slightest tendency to blow the ignited liquid out of either of the containers. Since approximately five seconds are required to discharge 2 /z pounds of fire retardant material where the container pressure is between 60 and p.s.i., the operative effectiveness of the unit is readily attested to by the facts stated above.

It will be readily appreciated that a fire control unit having a novel means for effecting control of the discharge pattern of discharged fire retardant material which permits a wide range of flexibility of coverage and which can be concealed within a ceiling or wall structure without affecting the effectiveness thereof and which, also, has a simple but acurate means for determining the existence of insufficient pressure for proper operation of the unit has been described. As a result one single model fire control unit may now be used in lieu of a variety of models as has previously been the case.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact embodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various other forms and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the free end of piston .rod 48 may be connected to an elongated member 52 which is mounted for pivotal movement.

What is claimed is:

1. A fire control unit comprising a pressurizable container having a frangible portion, thermally actuated 9 means for rupturing saidfrangible portion, a passageway adapted to provide communication between a portion of the container in which fire retardant material is to be placed and said frangible portion, and means for controlling the discharge pattern of the fire retardant material, said means comprising a generally hollow member having an opening at each end thereof one of which is smaller than the other, the smaller of said openings being in juxtaposition with said frangible portion to receive any fire retardant material discharge therethrough upon the rupture thereof, and an inner surface a portion of which has a cross-sectional area which increases in a substantially uniform manner from a point near the smaller of said openings to a point near the larger of said openings, said inner surface having a first portion lying substantially Within a first plane the extension of which forms an included angle of degrees or less with a second plane, said second plane being .substantially perpendicular to a third plane in which lies the periphery of the larger of the openings of said hollow member, said inner surface also having a second portion angul arly displaced approximately 180 degrees from said first portion and lying a fourth plane the extension of which forms an included angle between 35 and 55 degrees with said second plane and an included angle equal to or greater than 35 degrees with said first plane, and an adjustable elongated member which is positioned within and spaced apart from said inner surface and which is mounted substantially parallel to said second plane.

2. A fire control unit as described in claim 1 in which the included angle formed between said second plane and said first portion of the inner surface is equal to or less than 5 degrees.

3. A fire control unit as described in claim 2 in which the included angle formed between said second plane and said second portion of the inner surface is between 40 and 50 degrees.

4. A fire control unit as described in claim 3 in which the elongated member of said means for controlling the discharge pattern of the discharged fire retardant material is arcuately shaped and has a radius of curvature approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the smaller of the openings of said hollow member.

5. A fire control unit as described in claim 4 in which said second plane is substantially parallel with said first portion of the inner surface and the included angle formed between said second plane and said second portion of the inner surface is approximately 45 degrees.

6. A fire control unit as described in claim 1 including automatic means adapted to indicate the existence of container pressure equal .to or less than a predetermined amount, said means comprising a member positioned within said container and resiliently biased to move inwardly thereof against fluid pressure within said container, said member having an elongated portion extending outside said container and operatively connected with a second member to hold said second member in a first position when the container pressure is above a predetermined amount and to cause same to move to a second position when the container pressure is equal to or less than said predetermined amount.

7. An automatic fire control unit adapted for substantially concealed mounting within :a ceiling structure with the discharge portion thereof being mounted substantially flush with the lower surface of said ceiling structure, said unit comprising a pressurizable container having a replaceable cfrangible portion, thermally actuated means for rupturing said frangible portion, means including a tubular member to provide communication with a portion of the container where fire retardant material is to be placed within said container and said frangible portion, and means for controlling the discharge pattern of the fire retardant material, said means comprising a generally hollow member having an opening at each end thereof the periphery of each which is generally circular in cross section, one of said openings being formed smaller than the other, the smaller of said openings being juxtaposed to receive any fire retardant material discharged through the frangible portion upon rupture thereof, and an inner surface the cross sectional area of which is generally circular and a portion of which has a diameter that increases substantially uniformly between a point near the smaller of said openings, said inner surface having a first portion lying within a first plane the extension of which forms an included angle of 10 degrees or less with a second plane, said second plane being substantially perpendicular to a third plane. in which lies the periphery of the larger of the openings of said hollow member, said inner surface also having a second portion lying in a fourth plane the extension of which forms an. included angle between 40 and 50 degrees with said second plane, said second portion being angularly displaced from said first portion by approximately degrees, and an adjustable elongated member which is positioned within and spaced apart from said inner surface and which is mounted substantially parallel to said second plane.

8. An automatic fire control unit as described in claim 7 including means adapted to indicate the existence of container pressure equal to or less than a predetermined amount, said means comprising a member positioned within said container and resiliently biased to move inwardly [thereof against fluid pressure within said container, said member having an elongated portion extending outside said container and operatively connected with a second member to hold said second member in a first position when the container pressure is above a predetermined amount and to permit same to move to a second position when the container is equal to or less than said predetermined amount.

9. An automatic fire control unit as described in claim 8 including means adapted to maintain a closure across the larger of the openings of said hollow member when the ambient temperature is less than Ia predetermined amount and to remove said closure when the ambient temperature is equal to or more than said predetermined amount.

10. An automatic fire control unit as described in claim 9 in which said closure means comprises an elongated shaft member having a boss portion, a resilient member, a plate having an opening formed therein and a low melting point material, said shaft member being positioned within said hollow member and spaced apart from the inner surface thereof, said shaft member being substantially parallel to said second plane and having at least one end thereof extending to the general proximity of said third plane, said resilient member and plate being mounted upon said shaft with the resilient member being interposed between the boss portion of said shaft and said plate and biasing said plate ina direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of said shaft member and away from the boss portion, said plate being removably attached to the periphery of the larger opening of said hollow member with said low melting point material.

11. In a pressurizable automatic fire control unit including a pressurizable container and adapted for a substantially concealed mounting within a ceiling structure, a discharge means for controlling the discharge pattern of the fire control unit, said means comprising a generally hollow member having an opening at each end thereof one of which is larger than the other and out of which material discharges from said hollow member, and an inner surface a portion of the cross sectional area of which increases in a substantially uniform manner between a point juxtaposed with the smaller of said openings and a point juxtaposed with the larger of said openings, said inner surface having a first portion lying substantially within a first plane the extension of which forms an included angle of 10 or less with a second plane, said second plane being substantially perpendicular to a third plane in which lies the periphery of the larger of said openings, said inner surface having a second portion angu- 2,670,706 3/ 1954 Leeper 116-65 'larly displaced approximately 180 from said first por- 2,674,324 4/1954 Mascarini 169-26 tion and lying in a [fourth plane the extension of which 2,676,062 4/1954 Hamilton 239-509 forms an included angle between 35 and 55 degrees with 2,809,074 10/ 1957 McDonald 239-209 said second plane and an included angle equal to or greater 5 3,031,165 4/ 1962 Allen 169-31 X than 35 with said first plane, and an adjustable elon- 3,104,060 9/1963 Bricmont 239-209 gated member which is positioned within and spaced apart 3,107,732 10/ 1963 Bakos 169--26 from said inner surface and which is mounted substan- FOREIGN PATENTS tially parallel to said second plane.

548,473 11/1957 Canada.

References Cited by the Examiner 10 631,449 9/ 1927 France- UNITED STATES PATENTS 697,341 10/ 1930 France.

2,218,855 10/ 1940 Roessner 18926 EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 2,369,326 2/ 1945 Tirrell 239-509 2,588,788 3/1952 Zell 169--26 

1. A FIRE CONTROL UNIT COMPRISING A PRESSURIZABLE CONTAINER HAVING A FRANGIBLE PORTION, THERMALLY ACTUATED MEANS FOR RUPTURING SAID FRANGIBLE PORTION, A PASSAGEWAY ADAPTED TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A PORTION OF THE CONTAINER IN WHICH FIRE RETARDANT MATERIAL IS TO BE PLACED AND SAID FRANGIBLE PORTION, AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE DISCHARGE PATTERN OF THE FIRE RETARDANT MATERIAL, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A GENERALLY HOLLOW MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING AT EACH END THEREOF ONE OF WHICH IS SMALLER THAN THE OTHER, THE SMALLER OF SAID OPENINGS BEING IN JUXTAPOSITION WITH SAID FRANGIBLE PORTION TO RECEIVE ANY FIRE RETARDANT MATERIAL DISCHARGE THERETHROUGH UPON THE RUPTURE THEREOF, AND AN INNER SURFACE A PORTION OF WHICH HAS A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA WHICH INCREASES IN A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM MANNER FROM A POINT NEAR THE SMALLER OF SAID OPENINGS TO A POINT NEAR THE LARGER OF SAID OPENINGS, SAID INNER SURFACE HAVING A FIRST PORTION LYING SUBSTANTIALLY WITHIN A FIRST PLANE THE EXTENSION OF WHICH FORMS AN INCLUDED ANGLE OF 10 DEGREES OR LESS WITH A SECOND PLANE, SAID SECOND PLANE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO A THIRD PLANE IN WHICH LIES THE PERIPHERY OF THE LARGER OF THE OPENINGS OF SAID HOLLOW MEMBER, SAID INNER SURFACE ALSO HAVING A SECOND PORTION ANGULARLY DISPLACED APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES FROM SAID FIRST PORTION AND LYING A FOURTH PLANE THE EXTENSION OF WHICH FORMS AN INCLUDED ANGLE BETWEEN 35 AND 55 DEGREES WITH SAID SECOND PLANE AND AN INCLUDED ANGLE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 35 DEGREES WITH SAID FIRST PLANE, AND AN ADJUSTABLE ELONGATED MEMBER WHICH IS POSITIONED WITHIN AND SPACED APART FROM SAID INNER SURFACE AND WHICH IS MOUNTED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID SECOND PLANE. 